Correct REAR Shock Absorber configuration (paint & hardware), 1965-1969 (Joe Lucia)

[Scott S.]

Rear Shock Absorbers

Joe,

First picture below is of AC Delco rear shocks #88945172.

About the paint on rear shocks, I read that the upper bushing is painted gray with the rest of the shock, but the lower shock grommets were installed at St. Louis and therefore are not painted.

If I understand correctly, I need to press out the lower bushings and replace with the bushings in pictures #2-4 below. Two of these lower shock bushings are slightly taller, two are shorter, but the AIM calls out the same P/N for all four (GM 3735334). Should they not all be the same size?



Is it correct that the rear UPPER shock bushings are okay as-is, or should they be replaced too? I see that LIC offers a set with a metal core/tube for the rear shock Upper bushing (LIC 51-54C), but it looks like it will be hidden by the frame bracket anyway?

[Joe L.]

Re: Correct REAR Shock Absorber configuration (paint & hardware), 1965-1969 (Joe Luci

Rear Shock Absorbers

Joe,

First picture below is of AC Delco rear shocks #88945172.

About the paint on rear shocks, I read that the upper bushing is painted gray with the rest of the shock, but the lower shock grommets were installed at St. Louis and therefore are not painted.

If I understand correctly, I need to press out the lower bushings and replace with the bushings in pictures #2-4 below. Two of these lower shock bushings are slightly taller, two are shorter, but the AIM calls out the same P/N for all four (GM 3735334). Should they not all be the same size?



Is it correct that the rear UPPER shock bushings are okay as-is, or should they be replaced too? I see that LIC offers a set with a metal core/tube for the rear shock Upper bushing (LIC 51-54C), but it looks like it will be hidden by the frame bracket anyway?

Scott------


The upper shock bushings have the steel tube in the center and are painted with the shock. The currently installed bushings are just fine. It would be absolutely silly to try to replace these.

You don't really need to remove the lower bushings. Just remove the paint from them. The paint will flake off rather easily if you "manipulate" the bushings. If you do decide you want to replace the bushings, the ones you have will work fine regardless of the fact that the might not all be exactly alike. After installation on the car, absolutely no one will know the difference and they will function perfectly. However, I think it's rather foolish to go through the trouble of replacing them. By the way, the bushing pre-installed in these shocks is a ONE PIECE type, not the 2 piece type. Once again, no one will ever know the difference.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Correct REAR Shock Absorber configuration (paint & hardware), 1965-1969 (Joe Luci

Scott,
Have you considered a correctly numbered original, re built and or those 'reconstructed as original'?

[Scott S.]

Re: Correct REAR Shock Absorber configuration (paint & hardware), 1965-1969 (Joe Luci

Scott,
Have you considered a correctly numbered original, re built and or those 'reconstructed as original'?

Hi Ron,

I don't know enough about re-built or re-constructed as original. This is one of the few areas where a modern service replacement part seemed to make sense for a car that will be driven.

[Scott S.]

Re: Correct REAR Shock Absorber configuration (paint & hardware), 1965-1969 (Joe Luci

Scott------


The upper shock bushings have the steel tube in the center and are painted with the shock. The currently installed bushings are just fine. It would be absolutely silly to try to replace these.

You don't really need to remove the lower bushings. Just remove the paint from them. The paint will flake off rather easily if you "manipulate" the bushings. If you do decide you want to replace the bushings, the ones you have will work fine regardless of the fact that the might not all be exactly alike. After installation on the car, absolutely no one will know the difference and they will function perfectly. However, I think it's rather foolish to go through the trouble of replacing them. By the way, the bushing pre-installed in these shocks is a ONE PIECE type, not the 2 piece type. Once again, no one will ever know the difference.

Thanks very much Joe, I will leave the rear shock absorber upper and lower bushings right where they are

I'll remove the black paint from the lower grommet/bushing, mask it off, and paint the rest of the rear shock absorber Quanta gray.

[John D.]

Re: Correct REAR Shock Absorber configuration (paint & hardware), 1965-1969 (Joe Luci

Scott,
Have you considered a correctly numbered original, re built and or those 'reconstructed as original'?

ronald

Where pray tell can one obtain such a thing ?...I have the original, correctly dated but completely worn out Pliacell shocks that came with my '67....

[Larry M.]

Re: Correct REAR Shock Absorber configuration (paint & hardware), 1965-1969 (Joe Luci

ronald

Where pray tell can one obtain such a thing ?...I have the original, correctly dated but completely worn out Pliacell shocks that came with my '67....

Ad is in the Driveline. This person is an NCRS member. Let me know if you cannot locate this ad, and additional information is needed.

Larry

[Gary B.]

Re: Correct REAR Shock Absorber configuration (paint & hardware), 1965-1969 (Joe Luci

ronald

Where pray tell can one obtain such a thing ?...I have the original, correctly dated but completely worn out Pliacell shocks that came with my '67....

John,

To the best of my knowledge, the only person who does this is Dan Patch. He has an ad in the driveline and he sells his services on e-bay. I don't really his e-bay ID off the top of my head.

Gary

[Ronald L.]

Re: Correct REAR Shock Absorber configuration (paint & hardware), 1965-1969 (Joe Luci

Exactly, just look him up on the members page and or Corvette Shock search on the flee, 57fi2.